Review on 🚲 Topeak DeFender RX Rear Bicycle Fender: Optimal Protection for Your Bike by Carlos Block

The basic concept of this fender is simple and straightforward: it snaps straight out of the box to any seat post without tools and is quick and easy to fit. It uses the friction created by a strip of leather-backed nylon webbing (similar to a seat belt) stretched across the seatpost. The fault lies in the clamping mechanism. The strap must be inserted into the pivot post which is then hand tightened before it locks into place. Final tension comes from a latch attached to the end of the webbing; Close this latch and the wing should hold. Except that every time I (and all my compatriots) tried, the rotating post couldn't hold the webbing. Insufficient friction! And that's if you can thread the ribbon properly! I've managed to do this about 1 time every 8 or 9 attempts. Those with nimbler fingers than me succeeded a little more often than I did, but the results were always the same; attach to seat post, close latch for final tension, shake bike to check and fender will fall off. All. Blessed. Time. And I probably wouldn't be as pissed off as I used to be if I had checked the voltage properly first before leaving the house in this thing. I went about a block before I felt and heard the fender on my rear wheel collapse as I accelerated. No one wants to find a problem with their recent purchase while picking up speed down the road, let me tell you. salt in the wound of this poorly designed invention; While it's designed to be mounted to a bike without tools, you still need an Allen wrench to tighten the bolt that holds the fender angle. This means you need a tool. I will be returning this item asap and buying a fender that attaches with a set of nuts and bolts.